Africa-Press – Ethiopia. Strong collaboration of Eastern African countries is crucial in the fight against the prevalence of terrorist groups and transnational organized crimes in the region, East Africa Interpol Regional Bureau Head Gedion Kimilu said.
In an exclusive interview with ENA, the head and CEO of Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization said the countries in the region should cooperate in sharing information and intelligence about terrorism in the region.
Terrorism knows no border, he noted, adding that the countries need to come up with a common strategy to fight terrorism.
“Remember (that) terrorism knows no border, and terrorist are moving from one country to the other. Therefore, unless the law enforcement agencies in the region share information, unless they come together to come up with strategies like we have come together here they would not be able to fight seriously terrorism in the region.”
Countries have the responsibility to work together in making sure the region is safe from any crime and security threat, Kimilu stressed.
The head further pointed out that Interpol has been supporting the Eastern African countries in capacity building, most importantly in sharing criminal and terrorist intelligence.
“Interpol has been supporting the region with all types of equipment, training equipment, and operational equipment. Therefore, it has really assisted the region to be where it is,” Gedion noted.
According to the regional bureau head and CEO of Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization (EAPCCO), EAPCCO on its part enables member country’s police officers to work together in joint operations.
“As a result, all the officers in the region are in the same level in terms of knowledge about transnational organized crime and terrorism,” he stated.
The organization with 14 police chiefs from member countries concluded its three-day meeting under the theme “Promoting Best Policing Practices in the Fight Against Terrorism and Transnational Organized Crime in EAPCCO Region and Beyond” today.
The Eastern Africa Police Chiefs Cooperation Organization aims at harmonizing and strengthening police co-operation and joint strategies, sharing crime related information, and harmonization of laws in order to enhance the capacity of law enforcement agencies to combat transnational organized crime.
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